Previous Beginner Student Films made on our course
Melbourne Content Times & Dates Session by Session - Starts Thursday 2nd October 2025 6.30pm
Thursday 2nd October 2025 - Wednesday 18th February 2026 Phone 1800131166
1. Opening Night
Thursday 2nd October 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Introductions of the People on the Course and Teachers
- The Film Production and the excitement of producing and making the film
- Course Overview and Course Objective: Make a 12 – 15 Minute Film and learn filmmaking via making a film
- The Deadline and how important the deadline is to the filmmaking process
- How to format a script – this is an essential so as to present a professional script, when you make your own films
- Which Software to use and how to get it for Free saving you $200
At the end of 5 Months, you will have worked on and created a 10 – 12 minute movie
“The best education in film is to make one.” – Stanley Kubrick
You will make and work on a film on the 5 Month Film School
2. Creating the story: Writing the Screenplay
Thursday 16th October 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Story Invention Workshop. In this session we create the Story for the Film Production. The teacher will show you exactly how to create a story that grabs your audience.
- Story Ideas Brainstorm
- Three Dimensional Character Creation
- Pitching your ideas
- Narrative arcs for short films
- Plot the story-the key plot points
Homework (voluntary): Write the first draft for a 10 Page Screenplay
Over the years we have found the results of the above techniques have produced a strong short film story for emerging or beginner filmmakers.
3. How a Film Director Shoots a Scene
Tuesday 21st October 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Director on the Film Set and Actor Blocking
- The Film Shots and what they are called –
this is essential for the Film Director to understand - How does a Scene work
- The process of planning blocking rehearsing
- Working with Actors
- Working with the Crew
- Camera angles and Coverage of a scene
Homework Assignment: (Voluntary) Shoot a basic scene at home with your Smart Phone Camera (Mobile) Use at least 3 Camera Angles
4. Camera Operations & Cinematography
Tuesday 28th October 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Camera basics (RED 8K Helium & Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro)
- How to balance a Fluid Head Tripod
- AFEW (Aperture, Focus, Exposure, White balance) Camera angles
- When to use Prime Lenses and when to use Zoom Lens
- Camera movement Pulling focus
- How to compose/frame your shots
- Camera department roles and responsibilities
- Cinematography – 5 C’s (Camera angles, composition, cutting, continuity and close ups)
Homework assignment: Cinematography assignment using composition techniques (e.g. rule of thirds or leading lines)
The Camera we use Red Epic 8K
Films shot on this camera include Transformers Series:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Also The Great Gatsby, and Australia
5. How to Light a Scene
Tuesday 4th November 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
The Lighting Session: Learning how to use professional lighting equipment to light your scenes
We will experiment with lighting – creating different looks and moods just by changing the lighting setup
- Cinema lighting overview
- 3 point lighting – Basics of film lighting (3,2,1 point lighting and effects)
- Setting up light stands, heads and power
- Lighting for mood and atmosphere
- Lighting for exposure vs lighting for mood & effect – Using light modifiers
- Using natural light
- Lighting with set lights: Dedolights, Fresnels, LEDs and Redheads
- Using Gels& Diffusion with lights
Scripts are due to be submitted
Homework: Cinematography assignment using available light and then creating lighting (household sources)
6. Casting Setup & Sound Department Basics 1
Thursday 6th November 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
6.30pm – 7.30pm: Script selection & Casting setup
- At the start of class, the successful script will be announced. From here we will discuss the characters in the script and set up a casting call
- How to set up a casting call
- We show you how we get the best Actors into the Casting session
7.30pm – 9.30pm: Sound Department
The Sound Session: Learning how to use Professional Sound Equipment on location, including: ⇀ Sound basics⇀ Shotgun Microphone & Boompole
- Wind Sock
- Wireless Transmitters and Receivers with Lapel Microphones
- XLR Inputs on the Camera
- Setting the right sound levels and monitor in sound on set
- Sound in film overview – Reference videos
The session ends with shooting a scene focusing on correctly recording sound, including static subject dialogue and moving subjects
Homework assignment: place an ad for our film on Star Now for actors to apply and audition
7. Shooting a scene recap & Location scouting
Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Shooting a scene with lights, sound and camera departments
- Capturing coverage
- Pulling focus & using depth of field
- Using lighting
- Location scouting and what makes a good location for short films
Homework assignment: Scout for suitable locations for our film
Directing actors:
- What does a director do
- How to effectively direct a scene
- How to build an effective working relationship and trust with actors
- Practicing effective directing techniques Directing actors workshop
8. Casting – How to Cast your Film
Tuesday 18th November 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Today we have a real live Casting with real actors. You will get to:
- Learn the process of casting actors professionally
- Set up the Lights and Camera for casting
- Camera operators will be rotated throughout the night
- Actors should be scheduled for 10 minutes slots
- 5-15 minute in person audition sessions with actors who have applied to our casting call
- You will direct the actors during their audition, assisting them to provide their best performance
- How to get the best out of actors during auditions
- How to choose the best actors
Result: You will learn how to cast a film effectively by doing it for real for your short film
9. Preproduction – How to Prepare your Film Shoot
Tuesday 25th November 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Director preparation: Learning your scenes, understanding the motivation of your character sand preparing to direct your actors performance
- Working with actors and how to provide effective direction
Tonight you will learn all about preproduction for a film shoot and locking in the final logistical and production elements to ensure a successful shoot.
- Documentation – schedule, call sheets, talent release docs
- Production design props and set dressing, props
- Wardrobe
- How to prepare a schedule and a Call Sheet
- Confirm actors are booked for rehearsal session
10. Practical Saturday – Ready Steady Go: Film Equipment – Final Training Bootcamp
Saturday 29th November 2025 10.00am – 3.00pm
- This is a Saturday session designed to give you further practice with the camera, lighting and sound equipment – an intensive recap session
- To ensure you are “set-ready” and the crew works as a well oiled machine
- All the elements of being on set without the actors
- Focus on getting hands on with the technical side of filmmaking in preparation for the shoot
11. Final Preparation of the Film Shoot
Tuesday 2nd December 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Final Shoot Preparations – Finalising remaining details as follows:
- Location confirmation
- Schedule Confirmation
- Call Sheets
- Extras
- Props
- Wardrobe
- Set dressing
Rehearsals
In addition to preparing the shoot, we will invite the core cast (actors) to attend a rehearsal session. This session will focus on assisting the actors in their preparation for the shoot and expose you to working with actors.
The Three-Day Film Shoot – On Real Location Learn how to shoot a Movie by doing it for real
Sessions 12 – 14
Shoot Day One on Location on the film Set
Saturday 6th December 2025 8.00am – 5.00pm
The Shoot: 9 Hour Shooting Day:
Film Shoots are on Location: Locations can be a shop or hotel or park or any variable of a film location. This is a very exciting day where one is on a real shoot and real film.
Today you will work as a crew member. Every person revolves through the crew roles over the 3 shooting days.
Revolving Crew roles you will take on:
- Director
- DOP
- Focus Puller
- Clapper
- Sound Recordist
- Boom
- Gaffer
- Grip
- Continuity
- Production Runner
15. Watching Rushes – Prepare to Edit
Tuesday 9th December 2025 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Review of shooting Day One – Preview Shoot Days 2 & 3
- Watch the rushes from day one shooting – How to watch your footage
- Preparing for post-production
- Which software to use – Revealed on the course
- The amazing free software that will edit and colour your film and do the sound post (Revealed on the course)
- How to sync sound and get your footage ready to edit
Sessions 16 – 18
Shoot Day Two: On Location: Shooting with Actors
Saturday 13th December 2025 8.00am – 5.00pm
- This is the real deal where you are on set shooting a movie
- Your second day working as a crew member on a real film
- Crew roles continue to rotate over the 3 shooting days
Session 19 – 21
Shoot Day 3 on Location – Working as Film Director and a crew member on the film set
Sunday 14th December 2025 8.00am – 5.00pm
Crew roles continue to rotate for the final shoot day, but the crew will be running this shoot almost completely solo. This is 100% hands-on practical. This is the real deal where you are on set shooting a movie
- Your third day working as a crew member on a real film
- Crew roles continue to rotate over the 3 shooting days
Sessions 22 – 24
Post Production Saturday – Editing the Film
Saturday 31st January 2026 9.00am – 6.00pm Post-Production Day
You will learn to edit and make your film into a film by actually editing in class the film. You learn to edit the movie on Adobe Premiere Pro
Please note that editing is a great skill to learn and there is so much work in the film and video business for talented editors. It also pays well.
Course content for the night:
- How to edit a scene
- Learn today how to cut scenes for your film
- Learn how to effectively tell your story
26. Business of Filmmaking – Colm O’Murchu
Tuesday 3rd February 2026 7.00pm – 9.00pm
After your short Film is complete, how do you find the audience?
- Film Festivals and your strategy for entering
- What is the best site for Film Festivals
- Where is the work in the film industry
- Your plan for getting work in the film industry
- Film Markets and how feature films are sold and make money
25. Colour Grading and Grading the Film
Tuesday 10th February 2026 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Colouring your film and making it look great
- Grading your film to have colour consistency
- Titles and Credits
Sound Post:
- Sound Post and Music mix Session – this is what makes the difference between a good film and a great film and will make the difference between success and not succeeding
- On this session you learn about the importance of Sound
- Music for your film and how to get the best music easily and cheaply
27. Wednesday 18th February 2026 7pm – 9pm
The Final Night Certificates and Screening of the Film Screening of the complete finished film and Certificates and Indie Film Club
- Future Opportunities
- Screening of the Finished Completed Film
- 5 Month Film Making Certificate Presentation
- Photos of group
- Social Mixer and Celebration
After the 5 Month Film School Completes
At the end of 5 Months, you will have worked on and created a 10 – 12 minute movie
We teach you, step by step, the process of scripting shooting casting and crewing and directing a 12 minute short film.
- You will also learn to edit and colour, source your music and finish your film professionally
- You will learn the technical side of filmmaking, how to operate cameras and record professional location sound
- You will know exactly what to do, to make your own personal film professionally, that will attract film festivals and will make you into a Film Director and Producer
- You will have ongoing support from Australian Film Central with after film course support, gear supply and shoot help and work opportunities
AFTER THE FIVE MONTH FILM SCHOOL COMPLETES, SUPPORT STRUCTURES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- Indie Film Club Meetings after 5 Month Film School to network and find new film projects
- Numerous Film Productions that mushroom from Indie Film Club and Graduates
- Personal Coaching – one on one to help you achieve your goals (Please inquire)
To Enrol and Find out Course Fees – Phone Now 1800131166 ( free call )
Testimonials and Reviews
Testimonial Taj Graduate 5 Month Film School
Former Graduates Reviews
Absolutely loved the 5 month Short Film School. You learnt everything you need to be able to create your very own film! I went on to produce my very own short film 😁.
The Film Instructors: Taught by Filmmakers for Future Filmmakers
Colm O'Murchu - Director/Producer
Colm O’Murchu is a successful Indie Filmmaker and Director of four world-wide successfully released feature films The Elixir, The Makeover, Dealing with Destiny and Tabernacle 101. He created and has run Australian Film Central since 1997 and helped filmmakers produce hundreds of short films. At this point 157 Short Films have been made on the Filmmaking Courses. His mission is to help up-and-coming and emerging Filmmakers make their films successfully and loves to help up-and-coming filmmakers make it in the film business. He teaches Screenwriting, Directing, Producing and the Business of Filmmaking.
Sean Smith Top Film Director
Sean Smith is a fanatical Filmmaker and works consistently on films and commercials in Melbourne. His communication skills and teaching skills are of the highest calibre. He is currently in production on his own feature film. He teaches most of the course in Melbourne.
Sean has taught with Australian Film Central for 11 years and has exceptional feedback on his teaching and filmmaking skills. He is an expert on the Red Epic Camera 8k and is currently working on his most recent feature film.
Bonus: One on One Coaching
with Colm O'Murchu included
In this coaching mentoring session:
- You can ask any of your questions
- Plan your next Film Production
- How to get work in the Film Industry
- Plan your Film Career
- You will get amazing results coaching session
Creating the Film Directors
and Producers of Tomorrow
Previous Graduates
To Enrol and Find out Course Fees – Phone Now 1800131166 ( free call )